I had been told by at least three people that the bittern had been booming in the reed bed at Splatt Bridge. I made a few visits to try and listen  with now success. Finally yesterday I heard it from my house on three occasions.

Maybe he was celebrating the Mighty Hatters last gasp victory on Saturday. The roof nearly came off the ground with the explosion of joy when the goal was scored! Now have a nervy Saturday ahead but at least it is in our hands! Having said that I am sure I won’t have any fingernails left!  A win and we are safe!

I was also delighted to see both siskins and a chiffchaff in our garden yesterday. Previously we have only seen siskins in the garden on a couple of occasions. Pictures below are from Dorset last week- a stonechat, guillemots on the sea, a razorbill and ironically a siskin on the feeder at Arne!